Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Watching the enthusiastic departure of Lao Gui, Lu Yu himself was unsure whether his actions were right or wrong. After all, it involved Journey to the West, and although he had the knowledge of a past life to draw on, this was, in the end, a real world. So, he dared not make any guarantees—perhaps there was another Lao Gui cultivating in secret within the Tongtian River.

However, since Lao Gui had sought benevolence and received it, whether the matter was successful or not, it could be considered to have fulfilled his wish. What made Lu Yu curious was the towering sin that clung to Lao Gui; he wondered what sort of heaven-angering and people-resenting deeds his ancestors had committed to leave such a terrifying legacy of sin for their descendants.

It probably involved some major events from Ancient Times, but with the scant information Lu Yu had at the moment, he simply could not deduce anything.

After learning about Lao Gui's situation, Lu Yu lost any interest in traveling. He summoned Auspicious Clouds and made his way back home, his heart warmed by the sight of Liu Qingyun diligently practicing his cultivation and Da Hei lazing around. This was the place where he could truly find refuge and establish his life in this world.

The winter of the twenty-third year of the Kaiyuan era of Great Chu was a significant day for the people of Great Chu. The founding Emperor, Lu Zhang, was at death's door. This Emperor, who had lived more than seventy years, was approaching his life's end.

The mood in Fengjing City was one of austere solemnity, and smiles were no longer seen on the faces of the citizens. Lu Zhang, their sovereign, was as the sky to them, and now that the sky was about to collapse, they felt lost and unsure.

Since his ascension to the throne, Lu Zhang had governed with diligence and a love for his people, always personally seeing to affairs. Having come from humble beginnings, he was naturally empathetic towards his subjects, and under his rule, the people lived in peace and prosperity, deeply grateful for the benevolence of this Emperor.

The usually bustling Fengjing City had now become somewhat desolate, as people instinctively stayed indoors, praying for the wellbeing of their beloved Emperor, hoping he could stand tall once again. The piercing cold wind blew across the eerily quiet streets and brushed against the heavy iron gates of the Imperial Palace, winding its way through the long corridors and into the grand hall.

Imperial Physicians and Eunuchs had been on standby outside the grand hall for a long time, vigilantly attending to their duties, as the one lying within the palace was the sky of Great Chu.

The current Lu Zhang bore no resemblance to his once vibrantly youthful self, as the years had etched deep marks on him, turning his once black hair white and carving deep wrinkles into his face, turning the once proud and confident youth into an old man.

"Father Emperor, please take your medicine!" Lu Chengqian held a bowl of medicine that had already been prepared, patiently coaxing his father to drink it.

Chengqian, now a middle-aged man with a calm and dignified demeanor, carried an air of authority with every gesture. In fact, Lu Zhang had been gradually transferring power to his son over the past few years because family, after all, was the most important thing in his life. Chengqian and Han Jiangxue were the warm bed of wife and children at home to him.

"It's too bitter, I won't drink it!" Lu Zhang said weakly, not at all resembling the once awe-inspiring Emperor, but more like a petulant child.

Chengqian held the medicine bowl, looking at his father with a wry smile. His father had been acting more childishly recently, often refusing his medicine.

"Don't worry, I had someone add honey inside, it's not bitter," Chengqian patiently reassured his old father, hoping he would take his medicine properly.

Perhaps it was because they came from humble beginnings, or maybe because the dynasty was relatively new, that the affection between them as father and son outweighed their longing for imperial power; their daily interactions were more like those of a common family.

"Life and death are predestined, what use is there in taking medicine? Besides, your mother is waiting for me on the other side," Lu Zhang stubbornly shook his head, refusing to drink the medicine.

Lu Zhang's words also reminded Chengqian of his mother, who had passed away years ago, the woman who had warmed his entire life. Now, his father was also on the verge of death, and after this, he would truly be alone. As for his own children, he feared they might love the Dragon Throne more than their father.

"Father, are you going to leave me behind too?" Chengqian's voice trembled slightly.

"Aside from immortals like your uncle, no one can escape death; it is the principle of heaven and earth. However, there are the Underworld and the Nether Dragon Court in the world beyond; we will eventually meet again. Don't be too sad, your mother and I will be watching over you from the Dragon Court," Lu Zhang's words, filled with paternal love, moved Lu Chengqian to tears.

"From now on, you must face all the hardships and dangers alone. I will no longer be able to shelter you from the storm. But I have seen all that you have done these past few years, and I am very satisfied with you," Lu Zhang said, and then he couldn't help but cough a few times. Lu Chengqian hurried to help his father sit up, placing a pillow behind him and smoothing his breath.

"Father, rest assured, I will not let you down."

"Go now. Don't spend your days beside a dying man like me. The Imperial Court has many important matters waiting for your decisions," Lu Zhang had already begun urging Lu Chengqian to leave.

Only then did Lu Chengqian wipe away his tears and prepare to leave. He took several deep breaths, burying his sadness deep in his heart, not wanting the civil and military officials to see him in such a vulnerable state.

Looking up, he suddenly noticed a scholar in a green robe who had appeared in the hall at some unknown time, smiling at him.

"Great Uncle!" Lu Chengqian exclaimed excitedly; the joy in his heart at the sight of this elder with vast Divine Skills was unimaginable.

"Good, Lu Family has a successor; Great Chu will naturally have a long-lasting dynasty." Watching the now dignified Lu Chengqian, Lu Yu also showed a satisfied smile; two generations of wise emperors were enough to establish the foundation of the dynasty.

"Great Uncle, what brings you here this time?" Lu Chengqian asked cautiously, though he already had a guess; after all, when his mother passed away, it was his Great Uncle who came to escort her.

"Naturally, I am here to take your father to the Dragon Court. The Nether Dragon Court has been waiting for its master for many years," Lu Yu said with a smile.

Seeing the reluctance in Lu Chengqian's eyes, Lu Yu added, "A hundred years of life is but a brief moment, like a white horse flashing past a gap. Your parents are both blessed by the protection of the Dragon Court, so there's no need to worry about the sufferings of reincarnation.

What you need to do is to govern the country well; the stronger the nation's fortune and destiny, the stronger the Dragon Court will be. When your time comes, a reunion is naturally assured."

While speaking, Lu Yu walked to Lu Zhang's side, smiled, and said, "Zhanger, it's time!"
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Lu Zhang smiled and replied, "I'm troubling you, uncle." Then, he gently closed his eyes, and the breath from his nose and mouth gradually vanished.

Before long, his soul and spirit left his body, and the vigorous figure of Lu Zhang appeared in the hall. A massive wave of fortune and destiny swept over him, entering his body and making his presence grow more and more substantial. In no time at all, he reached the realm of the Ghost King.

"An emperor bears the expectations of tens of thousands, and thus when he dies, his enormous fortune and destiny transform him into a Ghost King. If there were no Soul-Reaping Messenger to reap the soul, it could pose a danger to the living world.

However, with my connection to the Underworld, there is no need for a Soul-Reaping Messenger – I will personally guide you to the Nether," Lu Yu explained to the newly born Lu Zhang.

"Take one last look at our grand rivers and mountains, and then we will head to the Netherworld. The people there must be getting anxious," Lu Yu said as he led Lu Zhang out of the hall. After surveying the landscapes of Great Chu one last time, the two passed by the City God Temple on their way to the Underworld.

In the twenty-third year of the Kaiyuan era of Great Chu, a white rainbow pierced the sun. Lu Zhang, the founding Emperor of Great Chu, passed away at the age of seventy-three. His posthumous title was Great Saint, Divine, Benevolent, Righteous, Martial, Talented, Successful, and Supreme Emperor. Historically, he is known as the Great Ancestor of Great Chu.